TV News: Who, After, Hackers, Scorpion

Doctor WhoBBC America has announced that “Doctor Who” finished last year with its highest U.S. ratings ever, averaging 2.3 million viewers per episode for the season. The show’s recent Christmas Day special pulled in 2.6 million viewers across two airings.

The series is about to begin production of its ninth season with Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman returning to the roles of The Doctor and Clara. [Source: EW]

The AfterAmazon Studios has cancelled its planned series order for the Chris Carter drama “The After.” The series was one of six projects ordered to series last March following strong viewer feedback to the pilot, the sole episode produced.

Amazon would not elaborate on why the series was tabled. Roy Price, VP of Amazon Studios says they decided not to move forward with the project which revolved around eight strangers forced to survive in a violent world that defies explanation. [Source: Variety]

HackersSyfy has announced plans to re-team with Relativity Television on the unscripted series “Hackers”. The reality series promises to take viewers “deep inside the shadowy and dangerous world of high-tech hackers for the very first time”. [Source: io9]

ScorpionCBS has announced plans for a special episode of “Scorpion” to screen following the network’s coverage of the AFC Championship Game, usually the second most-watched event of the year behind only the Super Bowl.

David James Elliott (“JAG”) will guest star in the episode which goes to air on January 18th. “Scorpion” is among the season’s top new programs and ranks second among new shows in total viewers (15.2 million). [Source: Variety]